Shiv Sena undecided over Narendra Modi as PM

Notwithstanding the hype created by BJP about Narendra Modi, its ally Shiv Sena on Friday did not appear to be enthused about projecting him as the NDA's prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha polls.

"The country needs a reliable face. Can you find one face who fits? Can you see one? Since we cannot see a clear face, let us elect a strong government," Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said at a programme organised by Assocham.

Later, when asked by reporters who would be the face of NDA in the elections, Thackeray said, "We have a lot of credible people. Have some patience. We will definitely show you the face."

The Sena chief's apparent disinclination to back Modi assumes significance considering that BJP has virtually decided to project him as its prime ministerial nominee for the Lok Sabha elections slated for next year.

He later had an hour-long meeting with senior BJP leader LK Advani, who had last month revolted against Modi's nomination as BJP's Election Campaign Committee chief.

Shiv Sena has been having reservations to projection of Modi, apparently because of his proximity to Uddhav's estranged cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.

In his address at the function, Thackeray said, "First bring in a strong government if you want a manifesto for development."

Targeting the UPA, he said it is difficult to make out who is running the country - the government or the media or NGOs or some other entity.

He said he does not want to single out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the sorry state of affairs in the government which he described as "corrupt".

"This government is working like a mobile pre-paid connection. You pay and then talk. But a person told me that whenever you call, you are told the mobile is out of network. We have to put an end to this. And then ensure everybody is in our network," the Sena chief said.

He claimed, with his hand on his heart, that the "next government will be formed by us (NDA) and we will definitely be many times better than the present government".

Recalling the 'India Shining' slogan of the previous NDA government, Thackeray said people at that time questioned it and said there is no India shining. "If it was not India Shining then, what is it now?" he said.

He said that even 64 years after independence there are concerns about national security.

He hit out at the government for the tussle between IB and CBI. "If you make IB a culprit then why will it provide information? Whose responsibility is it to have coordination (between agencies). Close down the IB if there is no coordination... Nobody is listening to it."

Referring to Ishrat Jahan encounter, he asked, "Is killing a terrorist a crime? Is it a crime to kill a goonda or a criminal? How will there be national security?"

On the Land Acquisition Bill being pushed by the government, he said it may be needed for giving a boost to industry but fertile land should not be taken away from farmers.

"Those farmers who have to sell their land and are promised jobs in the industry that is set up are later denied employment on the ground that they are not qualified," he said.

"Some fertile land may also have to be acquired. I understand that but still there should be a dialogue with the farmers," he said.

Commenting on the economic situation, Thackeray rued that Indian businessmen are investing abroad.

He described globalisation as a "economic world war" where other countries see India as a market. "There are no 'Made in India' labels to be seen," he said, adding countries like China and Bangladesh are capturing markets.